Roving stop

ABSTRACT

Apparatus to detect the breakage of a yarn end, commonly called an ends down, in a fiber handling system and in response to the detection actuate a release means to rotate the roving stop into the path of travel of the roving being supplied into the fiber handling system.

0 Umted States Patent 1151 3,636,695 Ingham, Jr. 1 51 Jan. 25, 1972 [54] ROVING STOP 3,063,229 11 1962 Bonel ..57/84 3,369,357 2 1968 F t ll ..57 84 [72] Inventor: Robert M. Ingham, .Ir., Spartanburg, S.C. on e as [73] Assignee: Deering Milliken Research Corporation, FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS Sp r g, 8.0 436,857 10/ 1935 Great Britain... ..57/84 [22] Filed: on. 13, 1969 752,716 7/1956 Great Br1ta1n ..57/84 [21] Appl. No.: 865,786 Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder 52 us. c1 ..s7/s4, 57/86 and Fwy [5|] Int. Cl. ..D0lh13/18 [58] Field of Search ..57/78, 80, 83, 84, 85, 86, [57] ABSTRACT 57/87 Apparatus to detect the breakage of a yarn end, commonly called an ends down, in a fiber handling system and in [56] References Cited response to the detection actuate a release means to rotate the roving stop into the path of travel of the roving being supplied UNITED STATES PATENTS into the fiber handling system. 803,062 10/1905 King ..57/86 1,462,896 7/1923 Barksdale et 21L ....5? 83 13 4 Draw F'gms Pmmenmswzz $636595 SHEET 1 0F 2 IN VENTOR. ROBERT M.INGHAM ATTORNEY vArEmenmzsm 3.'636;695

SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT M'.|NGHAM Mam ATTORNEY ROVING STOP This invention relates generally to fiber handling systems and in particular to drafting systems for spinning frames which include apparatus to prevent the buildup of a lap after an end has come down.

When drafting roving or sliver prior to spinning into yarn, very often a break will occur between the rear drafting rolls and the ring and traveler of the spinning frame. Normally, the break will occur between the front drafting rolls and the ring and traveler of the spinning frame. When this condition happens, the roving or sliver being supplied to the drafting system will continue to be supplied to the front rolls causing the roving or sliver to wrap around the front rolls and pile up between the front and middle drafting rolls. Commercially available are devices to stop the spinning frame after a lap occurs but these devices are normally not designed to prevent the buildup of a lap. Mainly, these devices are operative after the fact rather than acting to prevent the lap buildup before it occurs.

It is therefore an object of this invention to detect the breakage of a yarn end and stop the supply of roving or sliver being delivered to the position where the yarn end is broken.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus to prevent the buildup of a lap on the front rolls of a drafting system on a spinning frame.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent as the specification proceeds to describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view taken on line 1-1 of FIG. 3 showing the new and improved drafting system;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 except the yarn has been detected and the roving stop released;

FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 1 with the top rear drafting rolls removed; and

FIG. 4 is a view of the roving stop actuator taken on line 4- 4 of FIG. 1.

Looking now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 3 show the improved drafting system in conventional operation with a roving or sliver of staple fiber passing into the nip of upper and lower rear drafting rolls l2 and 14, middle drafting rolls l6 and 18, front drafting rolls 20 and 22 to a ring and traveler 23 to form yarn Y by placing twist therein between the ring and traveler and the nip of front drafting rolls 20 and 22. Conventionally, top drafting rolls l2 and 20 are rubber covered rolls while intermediate top drafting roll 16 is knurled. Bottom front and bottom rear drafting rolls 22 and 14 are fluted rolls while the middle bottom roll is knurled.

Inasmuch as the major amount of drafting is conventionally accomplished in the zone between the middle rolls l6 and 18 and the front rolls 20 and 22 from which the fibers proceed and are either twisted into yarn or drafted further, and since the running mass of fibers is also brought to a minimum size in this zone, it is most desirable that the fibers be controlled as closely as possible and to this purpose a double apron drafting system is preferred. In a manner exemplified in the e.g., US. Pat. No. 3,386,136, upper and lower aprons 24 are supported by upper and lower apron clearing and roll engaging member (not shown), each of which has a concave surface at one end to engage the rolls l6 and 18 to clean the peripheral surface thereof and an apron reversing portion at the other end. These apron clearing and roll engaging members are supported in operative position by cradle wall members 26 and 28. Preferably, the lower apron clearing and roll engaging member is rigidly secured between the wall members 26 and 28 while the upper member is slidably held in position by tab members 30 which engage notches in the sidewalls of the eradle.

For reasons hereinafter explained, a wire member 32 is provided at one end with an outwardly projecting portion 34 which in normal operation of the drafting system rides on the yarn Y being twisted. The wire member 32 is pivotally secured at 36 to the roving stop actuator ann 38 secured to the underside of middle lower drafting roll 18 between two drafting positions. At the other end of the wire member is provided a downwardly projection 40 which at the end thereof has an inwardly projecting portion 42 for reasons hereinafter explained.

The roving stop actuator arm 38 consists of two arm members 44 and 46 which rest on the roll boss 48 of the top front roll 22 and are interconnected to each other by support members 50 and 52 so that the breakage of yarn Y at either draft ing position will actuate the roving stop 54 to stop the supply of roving at both positions.

Slidably supported in suitable apertures 56 and 58 in the support members 50 and 52, respectively, are spring biased push rods 60 which are maintained in the apertures by stops 62. Spring 64 is located between stop 62 and the support member 50 to bias the stop to the inactive position.

Snapped into the middle roll 18 between the two arm members 44 and 46 of the roving stop actuator member 38 is a cam member 66. The cam member 66 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of roll 18 to ensure a snug fit so that the cam member 66 will rotate with the roll 18.

Preferably, only one of the wall members 44 and 46 has an elongated hook portion which in normal operation engages the projection 68 on the roving stop 54.

The roving stop 54 is generally circular in shape and encircles a portion of the diameter of the lower back roll 14 and extends across two drafting positions. The roving stop 54 has an elongated fairly sharp roving stop portion 70 which bites into the incoming roving or sliver 10 when allowed to rotate with the roll 14. The roving stop 54 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the roll 14 and is prevented from rotation therewith by the engagement of the hook portion 65 with the projection 68.

OPERATION Looking at FIGS. 1 and 3, the new and improved drafting system is shown in normal operation when the roving or sliver 10 is being drafted and spun into yarn. As shown, in normal operation, the wire member 32 will be in the raised position since the projection 34 will be riding on the yarn Y and the intumed portion 42 will be out of the path of travel of the cam 66 as the cam rotates with the roll 18. The roving stop actuator member 38 will be in the position shown with the hook portion 65 thereof engaging the projection 68 on the roving stop 54 to prevent the roving stop from rotating with the lower rear roll 14.

As described, preferably the roving stop 54 spans two drafting positions and therefore, stops the input of roving or sliver into both systems when only one of the ends come down but obviously, a single position roving stop could be employed. Looking to FIG. 2, the drafting system is shown just after one of the ends has come down. The wire member 32 has rotated counterclockwise about the pivot point 36 raising the inturned projection 42 to a position adjacent the end of the push rod 60. When the cam 66 has rotated to-the position shown it pushes the portion 42 against the end of push rod 60 causing the push rod 60 to slide to the right against the bias of the spring 64. When the push rod 60 has been pushed to the right the nose 72 of the push rod will exert a rotational force on the roving stop causing the hook portion 65 of the arm 44 to be rotated in a clockwise direction away from the projection 68. When the hook portion 65 has rotated to the position shown in FIG. 2 the roving stop 54 is free to rotate with the roll 14 and will rotate thereof. The roving stop will rotate until the leading edge 74 rotates into the nip of rolls l2 and 14 and the roving stop portion 70 bites into the roving or sliver 10 to stop delivery thereof into the nip of rolls l2 and 14. As noted before, the preferred embodiment shows a system in which the delivery of roving or sliver 10 for two positions is stopped upon a yarn break at either position but it is within the scope of the invention to only stop the roving at the position where the ends down occurs. After the roving or sliver has been stopped the operator pieces up the end and resets the mechanism to place the spindles back in operation.

The herein described invention provides a drafting system which automatically stops the supply of fibers to the system when the yarn end breaks thereby eliminating the possibility of building a lap on either of the front rolls of the system. The

invention provides a positive action to release the roving stop to ensure that a lap does not occur.

Although I have described in detail the preferred embodiment of the invention, 1 contemplate that many changes may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

lclaim:

l. A spinning system comprising: a first pair of drafting rolls in nip forming engagement, a second pair of drafting rolls in nip forming engagement spaced from said first pair of rolls, means to twist fibers operably associated with said first pair of rolls, means to supply fibers to said second pair of rolls, means to stop the supply of fibers to said second pair of rolls, means to release said fiber stop means upon the detection of a yarn break, means operably associated with said system to detect the absence of a yarn end between said first pair of rolls and said twist means to push said release means to actuate said fiber stop means and said fiber stop means including a partially cylindrical member telescoped over one roll of said second pair of rolls.

2. A spinning system comprising: a first pair of drafting rolls in nip forming engagement, a second pair of drafting rolls in nip forming engagement spaced from said first pair of rolls, means to twist fibers operably associated with said first pair of rolls, means to supply fibers to said second pair of rolls, means to stop the supply of fibers to said second pair of rolls, means to release said fiber stop means upon the detection of a yarn break, means operably associated with said system to detect the absence of a yarn end between said first pair of rolls and said twist means to push said release means to actuate said fiber stop means, said means to detect the absence of yarn including a feeler member which engages the yarn between said twist means and said first pair of rolls and said fiber stop means including a partially cylindrical member telescoped over one roll of said second pair of rolls.

3. A spinning system comprising: a first, second and third pair of drafting rolls, each roll in each pair of rolls being in nip forming engagement with the other roll in each pair, each pair of rolls being spaced from the other pairs of rolls, means supplying fiber to be drafted to said third pair of rolls, a fiber stop means operably associated with one roll of said third pair of rolls, means to twist fibers operably associated with said first set of rolls, means operably associated with said system to release said fiber stop means and means operably associated with said system to detect the absence of a yarn end between said first pair of rolls and said twist means to push said release means to actuate said fiber stop means, said fiber stop means including a partially cylindrical member telescoped over one roll of said third pair of rolls.

4. A spinning system comprising: a first, second and third pair of drafting rolls, each roll in each pair of rolls being in nip forming engagement with the other roll in each pair, each pair of rolls being spaced from the other pairs of rolls, means supplying fiber to be drafted to said third pair of rolls, a fiber stop means operably associated with one roll of said third pair of rolls, means to twist fibers operably associated with said first set of rolls, means operably associated with said system to release said fiber stop means and means operably associated with said system to detect the absence of a yarn end between said first pair of rolls and said twist means to push said release means to actuate said fiber stop means, said fiber stop means including a partially cylindrical member telescoped over one roll of said third pairof rolls, said partially cylindrically shaped member having a projection thereon, said release means including a hook means engaging said projection to prevent the rotation of said partially cylindrically shaped member with the roll during normal operation.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said partially cylindrical member is telescoped over the lower roll of said second pair of rolls.

6. The structure of claim 2 wherein said partially cylindrical member is telescoped over the lower roll of said second pair of rolls.

7. The structure of claim 3 wherein said partially cylindrically shaped member has a projection thereon, said release means including a hook means engaging said projection to prevent the rotation of said partially cylindrically shaped member with the roll during normal operation.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein said partially cylindrical member is telescoped over the lower roll of said third pair of rolls.

9. The structure of claim 8 wherein said hook means is mounted on the lower roll of said second pair of rolls and extends toward said third pair of rolls.

10. The structure of claim 9 wherein said release means includes a rod member slidably mounted with respect to said hook means.

11. The structure of claim 10 wherein said means to detect the absence of yarn includes a feeler member which engages the yarn between said twist means and said first pair of rolls.

12. The structure of claim 11 wherein said feeler member is pivotally mounted to said hook means and engages said rod member when a yarn end breaks.

13. The structure of claim 12 wherein said release means includes a cam member to slide said rod member when the yarn end breaks. 

1. A spinning system comprising: a first pair of drafting rolls in nip forming engagement, a second pair of drafting rolls in nip forming engagement spaced from said first pair of rolls, means to twist fibers operably associated with said first pair of rolls, means to supply fibers to said second pair of rolls, means to stop the supply of fibers to said second pair of rolls, means to release said fiber stop means upon the detection of a yarn break, means operably associated with said system to detect the absence of a yarn end between said first pair of rolls and said twist means to push said release means to actuate said fiber stop means and said fiber stop means including a partially cylindrical member telescoped over one roll of said second pair of rolls.
 2. A spinning system comprising: a first pair of drafting rolls in nip forming engagement, a second pair of drafting rolls in nip forming engagement spaced from said first pair of rolls, means to twist fibers operably associated with said first pair of rolls, means to supply fibers to said second pair of rolls, means to stop the supply of fibers to said second pair of rolls, means to release said fiber stop means upon the detection of a yarn break, means operably associated with said system to detect the absence of a yarn end between said first pair of rolls and said twist means to push said release means to actuate said fiber stop means, said means to detect the absence of yarn including a feeler member which engages the yarn between said twist means and said first pair of rolls and said fiber stop means including a partially cylindrical member telescoped over one roll of said second pair of rolls.
 3. A spinning system comprising: a first, second and third pair of drafting rolls, each roll in each pair of rolls being in nip forming engagement with the other roll in each pair, each pair of rolls being spaced from the other pairs of rolls, means supplying fiber to be drafted to said third pair of rolls, a fiber stop means operably associated with one roll of said third pair of rolls, means to twist fibers operably associated with said first set of rolls, means operably associated with said system to release said fiber stop means and means operably associated with said system to detect the absence of a yarn end between said fiRst pair of rolls and said twist means to push said release means to actuate said fiber stop means, said fiber stop means including a partially cylindrical member telescoped over one roll of said third pair of rolls.
 4. A spinning system comprising: a first, second and third pair of drafting rolls, each roll in each pair of rolls being in nip forming engagement with the other roll in each pair, each pair of rolls being spaced from the other pairs of rolls, means supplying fiber to be drafted to said third pair of rolls, a fiber stop means operably associated with one roll of said third pair of rolls, means to twist fibers operably associated with said first set of rolls, means operably associated with said system to release said fiber stop means and means operably associated with said system to detect the absence of a yarn end between said first pair of rolls and said twist means to push said release means to actuate said fiber stop means, said fiber stop means including a partially cylindrical member telescoped over one roll of said third pair of rolls, said partially cylindrically shaped member having a projection thereon, said release means including a hook means engaging said projection to prevent the rotation of said partially cylindrically shaped member with the roll during normal operation.
 5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said partially cylindrical member is telescoped over the lower roll of said second pair of rolls.
 6. The structure of claim 2 wherein said partially cylindrical member is telescoped over the lower roll of said second pair of rolls.
 7. The structure of claim 3 wherein said partially cylindrically shaped member has a projection thereon, said release means including a hook means engaging said projection to prevent the rotation of said partially cylindrically shaped member with the roll during normal operation.
 8. The structure of claim 7 wherein said partially cylindrical member is telescoped over the lower roll of said third pair of rolls.
 9. The structure of claim 8 wherein said hook means is mounted on the lower roll of said second pair of rolls and extends toward said third pair of rolls.
 10. The structure of claim 9 wherein said release means includes a rod member slidably mounted with respect to said hook means.
 11. The structure of claim 10 wherein said means to detect the absence of yarn includes a feeler member which engages the yarn between said twist means and said first pair of rolls.
 12. The structure of claim 11 wherein said feeler member is pivotally mounted to said hook means and engages said rod member when a yarn end breaks.
 13. The structure of claim 12 wherein said release means includes a cam member to slide said rod member when the yarn end breaks. 